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Head-to-head · Independent comparison
Apex Trader Funding vs Upcomers
How Apex Trader Funding and Upcomers stack up on profit split, pricing, payouts and the rules that bind a funded account — advertised claims separated from what we could verify.
Evidence desk · Independent analysisLast updated
Strong value and flexibility for active futures traders, balanced against simulated-funding mechanics and a strict trailing drawdown.
Broad product line and a genuinely high split on Thunderbolt funded; trailing drawdown and heavy 'up to' framing are the trade-offs.
Advertised maximums
The numbers, head-to-head
Headline figures from the structured plan data for each firm. “Up to” splits and max funding are ceilings reached via tiers or scaling — not the figure every trader gets.
Profit split — headline maximum (%)
Higher is betterApex Trader FundingBest
100%
Upcomers
99%
Entry price — lowest advertised ($)
Lower is betterApex Trader Funding
$100
UpcomersBest
$39
Max funding — headline ($)
Higher is betterApex Trader Funding
$150K
UpcomersBest
$1.5M
Our editorial scorecard (0–5)
Who wins each dimension
| Dimension | Apex Trader Funding | Upcomers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & value | 5.0 | 4.0 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Profit split | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Payout speed | 4.0 | 5.0 | Upcomers |
| Rules flexibility | 4.0 | 3.0 | Apex Trader Funding |
| Transparency | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
Scores are The Prop Examiner’s editorial assessment, not user reviews. See our methodology.
Advertised vs verified
At a glance
Apex Trader Funding
Upcomers
What actually binds you
Key trading rules compared
Apex Trader Funding
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Intraday eval | Profit target | 25K $1,500; 50K $3,000; 100K $6,000; 150K $9,000 |
| Intraday eval | Trailing drawdown | Follows Peak Balance (incl. unrealized); 25K $1,000 → 150K $4,000 |
| Intraday eval | Daily loss limit | None in eval (optional DLL; EOD Trail option offered) |
| Intraday eval | Contract limits | 25K 4 (40 micro); 50K 6; 100K 8; 150K 12 |
| Eval | Minimum trading days | None — may pass in a single day (30-day access) |
| Funded (PA) | Consistency | 50% consistency rule applies (none in eval) |
| All | Prohibited styles | No hedging/offsetting across accounts; rule-circumvention closes the account |
Upcomers
| Phase / model | Rule | Published value |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge | Profit target | 5% net profit |
| Challenge | Daily loss limit | 6% max within a single day |
| Challenge | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 10% below highest equity (trailing) |
| Challenge | Minimum trading days | None |
| Challenge | Consistency / Best Day Rule | Does not apply |
| Funded | Daily loss limit | 3% max daily loss |
| Funded | Overall loss limit (Dynamic Risk Shield) | 6% below peak equity (trailing) |
| Funded | Max risk per trade | 3% of initial balance (hard breach) |
| Funded | Consistency (Best Day Rule) | No single day > 20% of total withdrawal (soft) |
| Funded | Profit split | 99% to trader |
| Funded | Withdrawal requirement | Reach 1% profit on initial balance first |
Rules vary by product. For a plan-by-plan comparison, use the account comparison tool.
Balanced view
Pros & cons
Apex Trader Funding
Strengths
- One-time evaluation fee (no recurring billing on new products) with frequent deep discount codes.
- 100% of requested rewards retained in simulated funded accounts, with a 5-trading-day cadence.
- No minimum trading days and no consistency rule in the evaluation — can pass quickly.
- Up to 20 accounts allowed and multiple platform/data vendors to choose from.
Cons & open risks
- Performance Accounts are explicitly simulated; payouts are discretionary, and 6 payouts close the PA.
- The Intraday Trailing Drawdown follows peak balance including unrealized gains — punishing if you give back open profit.
- A 50% consistency rule applies to funded accounts even though the eval has none.
- Site states services are intended for US users only — international eligibility must be checked.
Upcomers
Strengths
- Documented, public rules and a help center you can read before buying.
- Wide range of account sizes and products (challenge + instant funding).
- High advertised profit split (up to 99%, verified at 99% on Thunderbolt funded).
- No minimum trading days on the Thunderbolt challenge.
- States it does not act as a broker or accept deposits for investment.
Cons & open risks
- Headline figures (up to $1.5M, up to 99%) are maximums, not typical outcomes.
- Profit split and rules vary by product — 99% is verified only on Thunderbolt funded.
- Trailing drawdown (“Dynamic Risk Shield”) is stricter than a static limit.
- Promotional pricing changes frequently and is not permanent.
- Self-reported metrics (e.g. 99% payout approval) are not independently audited.
- As with all prop challenges, most buyers do not reach a payout.
Our take
Which should you choose?
These two are closely matched — "better" depends on what you trade and the rules you can live within. Read each verdict, then verify the figures for your exact product before buying.
Apex is a high-volume futures evaluation firm with trader-friendly mechanics — one-time fees, fast passes, and 100% requested rewards in sim funded accounts — frequently paired with steep discount codes. The trade-offs are a simulated funded environment with discretionary payouts, a peak-balance trailing drawdown, and a 6-payout-per-account cap. The Prop Examiner has no affiliate relationship with Apex at this time.
Visit Apex Trader Funding's official siteDirect link to the firm’s official siteDirect link to Apex Trader Funding's official site. We earn no commission and are not affiliated with Apex Trader Funding.
Upcomers documents its rules publicly and offers an unusually broad product line with a genuinely high split on its Thunderbolt funded product. The trade-offs are a trailing “Dynamic Risk Shield” drawdown that is less forgiving than a static limit, heavy reliance on “up to” headline figures, and promo pricing that shifts. It is a reasonable option to compare if you read the rules for your exact product, treat the headline numbers as ceilings, and start with the smallest suitable plan.
Visit UpcomersWe may earn a commission. Any current discount is applied at checkout; confirm the total before paying.
Affiliate disclosure: The Prop Examiner is an independent project and may earn a commission if you sign up through some of our links. We are not affiliated with any firm reviewed. Trading challenges are simulated/educational products; no profits or payouts are guaranteed.
Common questions
Apex Trader Funding vs Upcomers FAQ
- Is Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers better?
- Our independent ratings: Apex Trader Funding 4.0/5, Upcomers 4.4/5. They are closely matched on our scorecard — the right pick depends on your market, budget and the rules you can trade within.
- Which is cheaper to start, Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers?
- Lowest advertised entry price: Apex Trader Funding from $100, Upcomers from $39. Upcomers has the lower starting price, but compare like-for-like account sizes — cheapest is not always best value.
- Which has the higher profit split, Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers?
- Headline ("up to") maximums: Apex Trader Funding 100%, Upcomers 99%. Apex Trader Funding advertises the higher ceiling — but top splits are usually gated behind tiers or scaling, not what every trader gets.
- Does Apex Trader Funding or Upcomers pay out faster?
- Apex Trader Funding: 5 trading days between payouts; $500 minimum; max 6 payouts per PA then it closes. Upcomers: On-demand after 1% profit; “12h” advertised, <1h avg claimed. Payout speed and eligibility depend on the product and on meeting each firm's rules; no payout is guaranteed.
Cited & dated
Sources
Figures trace to each firm’s own pages, accessed on the dates shown. Re-verify before relying on any number — pricing and promos change.
- 1.Apex — homepage / product selector & instruments· accessed 2026-06-17
- 2.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Evaluations (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 3.Apex — Intraday Trailing Drawdown Payouts (Help Center)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 4.Apex — Payouts page· accessed 2026-06-17
- 5.Upcomers — homepage (headline claims)· accessed 2026-06-17
- 6.Upcomers — how we operate· accessed 2026-06-17
- 7.Upcomers — Thunderbolt complete rules· accessed 2026-06-17
- 8.Upcomers — instruments & platforms· accessed 2026-06-17
- 9.Upcomers — affiliate program terms· accessed 2026-06-17
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